Squires to be Winter Commencement Speaker

More than 350 students will receive degrees as part of Fairmont State's Winter Commencement ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Feaster Center.

The Rev. Donal M. "Jack" Squires, a retired United Methodist clergyman, FS alumnus and long-time chaplain of the Fighting Falcons football team, will serve as the speaker for the event.

"Rev. Jack Squires has been a dedicated member of the Fairmont State community for more than 50 years," said Fairmont State President Daniel J. Bradley. "Fairmont State is honored by his years of service and proud to call him a friend. We are glad to have this opportunity to recognize his achievements. He has a lot of wisdom to pass on to our new graduates."

Squires was born and raised in Fairmont and is a 1948 graduate of Fairmont State. His education at FS was interrupted by World War II with three years serving in the U.S. Army. While in school at FS, he was a member of Alpha Psi Omega, the Debate Team and Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He was selected as a member of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and served as Student Body President from 1947-48. He was honored by the Fairmont State Alumni Association with the Outstanding Alumni Award in 1982. In 1990, he received the President's Service Award and has served as the football team's chaplain since 1992.

He graduated from Duke Divinity School of Duke University in Durham, N.C., and was assigned to St. Peter's United Methodist Church in St. Albans, W.Va. Squires served there for three years and then entered the U.S. Air Force. He had several stateside assignments and also served overseas as a remote site chaplain in Alaska; 2nd ADVON (PACAF) chaplain in Viet Nam; and also served at Lajes Field in the Azores. His last duty assignment was at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was in charge of all Air Force funerals.

Squires received the West Virginia Bar Foundation Citizen of the Year Award and is the past State Commander of the American Legion as well as Past National Chaplain; past President of the Marion Unit of the American Cancer Society; past President of the Mountaineer Council of the Boy Scouts of America and recipient of the Silver Beaver Award; past Governor of the W.Va. District of Kiwanis; past Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce; and past Drive Chairman for the United Way of Marion County.